Concealed carry vest with compartment for securing an in-waistband holster

ABSTRACT

A vest allows a person to conceal and carry a firearm by placing the firearm into an in-waistband holster in a vest storage compartment between a storage compartment strap and the vest body. The vest particularly allows a person to carry a firearm during exercise or physical activity where carrying a firearm conventionally in an in-waistband holster would inadequately secure the firearm.

PRIORITY

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/353,586, filed Jun. 18, 2022, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to firearms holsters. In particular, examples of the present invention relate to a concealed carry vest with a compartment which receives and carries an in-waistband holster to allow a person to safely carry a firearm.

INTRODUCTION

Many individuals desire to carry a firearm for self defense and for the protection of others. In some situations, a traditional holster may not adequately secure the firearm. For example, a waistband mounted holster may not remain adequately secured during exercise or physical activities such as jogging or biking. The present vest allows a person to secure an in-waistband holster within a closeable compartment to securely hold the holster and a firearm while still permitting access to the firearm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 is a left isometric view of a concealed carry vest with a compartment for securing an in-waistband holster.

FIG. 2 is a left isometric view of the concealed carry vest of with the holster compartment open.

FIG. 3 is a left isometric view of the concealed carry vest with the holster compartment open and an in-waistband holster secured within the holster compartment.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the concealed carry vest.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the concealed carry vest with the holster compartment open.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the concealed carry vest with the holster compartment open and an in-waistband holster secured within the holster compartment.

FIG. 7 is a back view of the concealed carry vest.

FIG. 8 is a left view of the concealed carry vest.

FIG. 9 is a left view of the concealed carry vest with the holster compartment open.

FIG. 10 is a right view of the concealed carry vest.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the concealed carry vest.

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the concealed carry vest.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. Unless otherwise noted, the drawings have been drawn to scale. Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of various examples of the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present invention.

It will be appreciated that the drawings are illustrative and not limiting of the scope of the invention which is defined by the appended claims. The examples shown each accomplish various different advantages. It is appreciated that it is not possible to clearly show each element or advantage in a single figure, and as such, multiple figures are presented to separately illustrate the various details of the examples in greater clarity. Similarly, not every example need accomplish all advantages of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one having ordinary skill in the art that the specific detail need not be employed to practice the present invention. In other instances, well-known materials or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.

In the above disclosure, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific implementations in which the disclosure may be practiced. It is understood that other implementations may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, such feature, structure, or characteristic may be used in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. The particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable combination and/or sub-combinations in one or more embodiments or examples. It is appreciated that the figures provided herewith are for explanation purposes to persons ordinarily skilled in the art.

As used herein, “adjacent” refers to near or close sufficient to achieve a desired effect. Although direct contact is common, adjacent can broadly allow for spaced apart features.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” and, “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, the term “substantially” refers to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, an object that is “substantially” enclosed would mean that the object is either completely enclosed or nearly completely enclosed. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, generally speaking the nearness of completion will be such as to have the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained. The use of “substantially” is equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, a composition that is “substantially free of” particles would either completely lack particles, or so nearly completely lack particles that the effect would be the same as if it completely lacked particles. In other words, a composition that is “substantially free of” an ingredient or element may still actually contain such item as long as there is no measurable effect thereof.

As used herein, the term “about” is used to provide flexibility to a number or numerical range endpoint by providing that a given value may be one significant figure above or one significant figure below the number or endpoint.

As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary.

Dimensions, amounts, and other numerical data may be expressed or presented herein in a range format. It is to be understood that such a range format is used merely for convenience and brevity and thus should be interpreted flexibly to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also to include all the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. As an illustration, a numerical range of “about 1 to about 5” should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited values of about 1 to about 5, but also include individual values and sub-ranges within the indicated range. Thus, included in this numerical range are individual values such as 2, 3, and 4 and sub-ranges such as from 1-3, from 2-4, and from 3-5, etc., as well as 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, individually.

Turning now to FIG. 1 , an article of clothing 10 is shown. The example article of clothing is a vest 10. The vest 10 includes arm openings 14 and a neck/head opening 18. The left and right sides of the vest front 22 are attached to each other with a front zipper 26. The vest 10 includes side laces 34 connecting the vest front 22 and vest back 30. Additionally, the vest includes a fabric panel 36 connecting the vest front 22 and the vest back 30. The example side laces 34 are laced through textile loops 38 which are attached vertically along the vest front 22 and vest back 30. The ends of the side laces 34 pass through a push button cord lock 42 which is used to adjust the cord length and thereby adjust the sizing of the vest 10. The fabric panel 36 is compressed as the side laces 34 pull the vest front 22 towards the vest back 30.

The main body of the vest 10 including the vest front 22 and back 30 is typically made of a flexible and stretchable material such as a synthetic fabric which includes some elastic content. The flexible and elastic material and the side laces 34 allow a user to adjust the vest 10 to fit snugly to their body to stabilize the vest and prevent a carried handgun from moving too much during physical activity. The vest 10 may be worn snugly without restricting the user's movement, allowing the vest to be worn during many recreational activities. Although not shown, the article of clothing 10 may include sleeves and may be provided as a short or long sleeve shirt or jacket. Such an article of clothing 10 may include a snugly fitted body as discussed and may have looser sleeves if desired.

The vest 10 may include a front storage pocket 46. The example storage pocket 46 is closed by a zipper 50 and may be used to store keys, a wallet, etc. while a person is using the vest 10. The vest 10 includes a firearm storage compartment 54 positioned on the front of the vest 10. The firearm storage compartment 54 allows a user to conceal and carry a handgun.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the vest 10 with the firearm storage compartment 54 open. FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the vest 10 with the firearm storage compartment 54 open and with a holster and handgun stored in the storage compartment 54. The firearm storage compartment 54 is generally rectangular in shape and extends vertically between a position adjacent the bottom edge of the vest and approximately halfway between the bottom edge and the arm opening 14. The storage compartment 54 extends horizontally between a position adjacent the front zipper 26 and a position near the side laces 34; typically ending a few inches from the side laces 34. The storage compartment is typically between about 6 and about 8 inches wide and between about 7 and about 9 inches tall.

The firearm storage compartment is formed between the vest front panel 22 and a storage compartment front flap 58. The firearm storage compartment front flap 58 is typically made from the same flexible and elastic material as the body of the vest 10. The bottom of the storage compartment flap 58 is sewn to the vest front 22. In the example vest, between about the bottom third and about the bottom two thirds, and more commonly about the bottom half of the storage compartment flap 58 is sewn to the front panel 22 and permanently attached to the front panel 22. Accordingly, the flap 58 is openable to expose between about the upper one third (0.3) and about the upper two thirds (0.7) of the storage compartment, and more commonly about the upper half (0.5) of the storage compartment when the flap 58 is open downwardly away from the vest body 22 and the storage compartment 54. A releasable fastener such as hook and loop fastener are attached to the perimeter of the upper portion of the storage compartment flap 58 and a corresponding location on the vest front 22. In the example vest 10, the loop portion 62 of the fastener is attached to the perimeter of the flap 58 and the hook portion 66 of the fastener is attached to the vest front 22. The releasable hook and loop fastener allows the storage compartment flap 58 to be secured to the vest front 22 in a closed position to conceal and securely store a firearm and to be released form the vest front 22 and moved into an open position to permit access to a stored firearm. In the example vest, the hook portion 66 of the releasable fastener is attached to the vest body 22 and the loop portion 62 of the releasable fastener is attached to the flap 58. This prevents damage to the exterior of the vest 10 if the flap 58 is misaligned when closing the flap.

The firearm storage compartment front flap 58 may include a finger grip 68. The example finger grip 68 is made from a high friction material such as rubber or rubberized fabric and may include a textured surface such as a molded logo, etc. The finger grip 68 may also be a section of fabric that is sewn to the center top of the front flap 58. The example finger grip 68 wraps around the center top of the storage compartment flap 58 and covers a portion of the outside of the flap 58 and a portion of the inside of the flap 58. The finger grip 68 covers a portion of the releasable fastener (e.g. the loop portion 62) on the inside of the flap 58. The finger grip 68 makes it easier for a user to grip the appropriate part of the flap 58 to open the flap without looking at the flap. The finger grip also makes it easier for the user to grip the flap 58 and not lose their grip while opening the flap in an emergency situation. The finger grip 58, by covering or replacing a portion of the hook and loop releasable fastener, makes it easier for the person to open the storage compartment 54.

The vest 10 also includes a correspondingly placed section 72 along the perimeter of the firearm storage compartment 54 which does not include the hook and loop fastener. In one example, strips of the hook portion 66 of the fastener are sewn to the body of the vest 10 along the perimeter of the firearm storage compartment 54 and a section 72 of the hook portion 66 of the releasable fastener is covered with a section of material. In another example, the strips of the hook portion 66 of fastener terminate at the section 72. Similarly, the storage compartment flap 58 may be made with strips of the loop portion 62 of the fastener which extend across the central non-fastened area 68 and which are then covered by the finger grip 68 or material at area 68. Alternately, the strips of loop portion 62 of the fastener material may terminate and not extend across the section 68 of the flap 58. As a result, the firearm storage compartment 54 and storage compartment flap 58 include a section at 68, 72 where they are not fastened to each other. This section is between about 1 and about 3 inches wide and is typically about 2 inches wide. A user can place their finger or thumb in this unfastened section and more quickly and easily open the firearm storage compartment 54.

Accordingly, the firearm storage compartment 54 and the storage compartment front flap 58 are permanently fastened to each other on a lower portion, releasably fastened to each other with a fastener across the upper portion, and includes an unfastened section on the upper portion to facilitate easy opening of the firearm storage compartment 54 by allowing a user to insert a finger into the unfastened section. More preferably, the firearm storage compartment 54 and the storage compartment front flap 58 are permanently fastened to each other on a lower portion that extends up the sides of the firearm storage compartment perimeter to a height which is between about ¼ and about ½ of the height of the firearm storage compartment 54, releasably fastened to each other with a fastener across the top of the firearm storage compartment 54 and the upper portion of the sides of the firearm storage compartment 54, and includes an unfastened section of the upper portion which is about 2 inches wide. Still more preferably, the firearm storage compartment 54 and the storage compartment front flap 58 are permanently fastened to each other on a lower portion that extends up the sides of the firearm storage compartment perimeter to a height which is between about ⅓ and about ½ of the height of the firearm storage compartment 54, releasably fastened to each other with a fastener across the top of the firearm storage compartment 54 and the upper portion of the sides of the firearm storage compartment 54, and includes an unfastened section of the upper portion which is about 2 inches wide and which is located along the top of the firearm storage compartment and preferably near the center of the top of the firearm storage compartment 54.

The flap 58 includes pleats 64. The pleats 64 allow the flap 58 to expand when an in-waistband holster and firearm are placed into the firearm storage compartment 54.

A holster strap 70, such as a length of nylon webbing, is fastened to the sides of the firearm storage compartment 54 and extends across the firearm storage compartment 54. The holster strap 70 is unfastened across its center and allows an in-waistband holster to be placed between the holster strap and the vest to secure the holster in the firearm storage compartment 54. The example holster strap 70 is sewn to the vest 10 between the vest front 22 and the releasable fastener hook material 66. The holster strap 70 is positioned horizontally or slightly angled downwardly from horizontal towards the bottom of the side of the vest 10. The holster strap is positioned within the firearm storage compartment 54 at a position which is down from the top of the storage compartment 54 between about ⅓ of the height of the storage compartment 54 and about ½ of the height of the storage compartment 54. The holster strap 70 is attached to the vest front 22 at its left and right ends, typically by sewing the ends of the holster strap 70 between the vest front 22 and the hook and loop fastener material 66. The center of the holster strap 70 is separated from the vest front 22 and also from the storage compartment front flap 58 and an in-waistband holster is placed between the holster strap 70 and the vest front 22.

FIG. 3 shows an in-waistband holster 74 and a handgun 78 secured within the storage compartment 54. The in-waistband holster 74 includes a semi-rigid holster body which is shaped to receive a firearm and a belt clip 76 which is used to attach the holster to a person's pants waistband or belt. The holster body is placed between the vest front 22 and the holster strap 70 and the belt clip 76 receives the holster strap 70 so that the holster strap 70 is held between the holster body and the belt clip 76 and the belt clip 76 is positioned between the holster strap 70 and the firearm storage compartment front flap 58. The holster strap 70 is thus used to secure the in-waistband holster 74 to the vest 10. A firearm 78 is carried in the holster body. Once the firearm 78 is secured within the holster 74, the storage compartment flap 58 may be closed with the releasable hook and loop fastener elements 62, 66. The firearm 78 is held against the user's body and excessive movement of the firearm 78 is prevented. If needed, the storage compartment 54 may be opened quickly to permit access to the firearm 78.

The vest 10 allows a person to carry a firearm 78 during exercise or recreational activities where it would otherwise be difficult to carry a firearm 78. The close fitting and flexible/elastic design of the vest 10 minimizes discomfort and restriction to the user's movements while also holding the firearm 78 securely against the user's body and preventing excessive movement of the firearm. The vest 10 also allows the user to use a single in waistband holster 74 for the firearm 78. The user may use the in-waistband holster 74 to carry the firearm 78 inside of their waistband when desired and then move the holster 74 and firearm 78 to the vest 10 when the activity is incompatible with in waistband carrying of the firearm 78. This allows the user to avoid the expense of additional holsters and the unfamiliarity that may come with changing holsters or firearms for different activities.

While a vest 10 is shown above as the example article of clothing 10, it is appreciated that sleeves can be added to the vest 10 to create a short or long sleeve shirt or jacket while maintaining the other properties and structures of the vest discussed above. Additionally, the firearm storage compartment 54 can also be added to an article of clothing such as pants while retaining the advantageous ability to safely carry a firearm inside of a clothing pocket while using an in-waistband holster that the user already owns and is already familiar with.

The additional views of the vest 10 shown in FIGS. 4 through 12 are not numbered for clarity in viewing the disclosed features. These figures show the same features as described above with respect to FIGS. 1 through 3 .

The above description of illustrated examples of the present invention, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limiting to the precise forms disclosed. While specific examples of the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible without departing from the broader scope of the present claims. Indeed, it is appreciated that specific example dimensions, materials, etc., are provided for explanation purposes and that other values may also be employed in other examples in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An article of clothing for carrying a concealed firearm comprising: a vest body configured to cover a torso of a person; a firearm storage compartment on the vest body comprising; a firearm storage compartment flap secured to a vest body along a storage compartment perimeter such that a firearm storage compartment is defined between the vest body, the flap, and the perimeter; wherein the storage compartment perimeter comprises a first portion wherein the storage compartment is not openable along the first portion and a second portion wherein the storage compartment is openable along the second portion; wherein the flap is permanently secured along the first portion of the storage compartment perimeter; a releasable fastener positioned along the second portion of the flap perimeter, the releasable fastener releasably securing the flap to the vest body and permitting the flap to be opened to permit access to the firearm storage compartment and to be closed to prevent access to the firearm storage compartment; a holster strap having a first end which is attached to the vest body at a first location and a second end which is attached to the vest body at a second location, wherein the holster strap extends across a middle portion of the firearm storage compartment between the first and second locations and wherein the holster strap is not attached to the vest body or to the flap between the first and second locations; wherein the storage compartment is configured to receive an in-waistband firearm holster comprising a firearm holster body and a waistband clip by placing the holster body between the holster strap and the vest body and by placing the clip between the holster strap and the flap such that the holster strap is held between the holster body and the clip; and wherein the storage compartment flap is configured to cover the holster strap and to cover an in-waistband holster positioned in the firearm storage compartment when the flap is in a closed position and wherein the flap permits access to an in-waistband holster positioned in the firearm storage compartment when the flap is in an open position.
 2. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the releasable fastener is hook and loop fastener.
 3. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the storage compartment perimeter extends along an upper portion of a first side of the flap, an upper portion of a second side of the flap, and a top of the flap disposed between the first side and the second side.
 4. The article of clothing of claim 1, further comprising side laces attached to a side of the vest body, wherein the side laces are tightenable to reduce a size of the vest.
 5. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the releasable fastener extends across a majority of the second portion of the perimeter and wherein a small section of the second portion of the perimeter is not fastened by the releasable fastener.
 6. The article of clothing of claim 5, wherein the small section of the second portion of the perimeter is of sufficient size to permit passage of a human thumb and wherein the small section of the second portion of the perimeter is of insufficient size to permit passage of a firearm.
 7. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the holster strap extends across the firearm storage compartment horizontally or near horizontally.
 8. An article of clothing for carrying a concealed firearm comprising: a clothing body configured to cover a portion of a person; a firearm storage compartment formed on the clothing body comprising; a firearm storage compartment flap; wherein the firearm storage compartment is defined at least in part by the clothing body, the flap, and a storage compartment perimeter wherein the storage compartment perimeter comprises a first perimeter section which is permanently secured and is not openable and a second perimeter section wherein the storage compartment is openable by separating the flap from the clothing body; a releasable fastener positioned along the second perimeter section, the releasable fastener releasably securing the flap to the clothing body and permitting the flap to be opened to permit access to the firearm storage compartment and to be closed to prevent access to the firearm storage compartment; a holster strap having a first end which is attached to the firearm storage compartment at a first location and a second end which is attached to the firearm storage compartment at a second location, wherein the holster strap is not attached to the firearm storage compartment between the first and second locations; wherein the storage compartment is configured to receive a firearm holster comprising a firearm holster body and an attachment clip by placing holster strap between the holster body and the clip; and wherein the storage compartment flap is configured to cover the holster strap and to cover a holster which is positioned in the firearm storage compartment when the flap is in a closed position and wherein the flap permits access to a holster positioned in the firearm storage compartment when the flap is in an open position.
 9. The article of clothing of claim 8, wherein the holster strap extends across a middle portion of the firearm storage compartment between the first and second locations.
 10. The article of clothing of claim 8, wherein the storage compartment is configured to receive a holster body between the holster strap and the vest body and to receive a holster clip between the holster strap and the flap.
 11. The article of clothing of claim 8, wherein the second perimeter section extends along an upper portion of a first side of the storage compartment, a top of the storage compartment, and an upper portion of a second side of the storage compartment.
 12. The article of clothing of claim 8, wherein the releasable fastener extends across a majority of the second portion of the perimeter and wherein a small section of the second portion of the perimeter of sufficient length to permit entry of a thumb is not fastened by the releasable fastener.
 13. The article of clothing of claim 8, wherein the flap is openable to expose between about one third and about two thirds of a height of the storage compartment.
 14. An article of clothing for carrying a concealed firearm comprising: a clothing body configured to cover a portion of a person; a firearm storage compartment formed on the clothing body; a firearm storage compartment flap which is closable to prevent access to the firearm storage compartment and which is openable to permit access to the firearm storage compartment; a releasable fastener positioned along the flap, the releasable fastener releasably securing the flap to the clothing body and permitting the flap to be selectively opened and closed; a holster strap having a first end which is attached to the firearm storage compartment at a first location and a second end which is attached to the firearm storage compartment at a second location; wherein the storage compartment is configured to receive a firearm holster comprising a firearm holster body and an attachment clip by placing holster strap between the holster body and the clip; and wherein the storage compartment flap is configured to cover the holster strap and to cover a holster which is positioned in the firearm storage compartment when the flap is in a closed position and wherein the flap permits access to a holster positioned in the firearm storage compartment when the flap is in an open position.
 15. The article of clothing of claim 14, wherein the storage compartment flap is openable downwardly to expose about an upper one half of the storage compartment along a height thereof.
 16. The article of clothing of claim 14, wherein the releasable fastener extends along an upper portion of a first side of a storage compartment perimeter, a top of the storage compartment perimeter, and an upper portion of a second side of the storage compartment perimeter.
 17. The article of clothing of claim 16, further comprising a section of the storage compartment perimeter along the top of the storage compartment which is not secured by the releasable fastener and which is of sufficient length to permit entry of a human thumb.
 18. The article of clothing of claim 14, wherein the first location is located at a first side of the firearm storage compartment, wherein the second location is located at a second side of the firearm storage compartment, wherein the firearm storage compartment is configured to receive a firearm holster between a back wall of the firearm storage compartment and the holster strap and to receive a firearm holster attachment clip between the holster strap and a front wall of the firearm storage compartment.
 19. The article of clothing of claim 14, wherein the holster strap extends generally horizontally across a center portion of a height of the firearm storage compartment.
 20. The article of clothing of claim 14, wherein the first location is located at a first side of the firearm storage compartment, wherein the second location is located at a second side of the firearm storage compartment, and wherein the holster strap is not attached to the firearm storage compartment between the first location and the second location. 